I think people lament that they COULD have taken something, polished it up, modernized it, and made it really, really good.
Like with Transformers, the comics and some of the video games successfully build upon the old.
IMHO, the problem is Hollywood takes properties only because their existing fan base means brand recognition - even for people who AREN’T fans, at least know OF the property. Then they make what ever with little to no regard for the source material.
Wasn’t much better… I didn’t get to see this as a kid, but I got the comics when I as in middle-high school, and finally watched the first season of the Anime… eh yes much better animation wise, but story wise… I got bored pretty quick. 
YMMV.
And they did have Robotech toys, but they weren’t as popular here as they were in Japan.
Fun fact, Transformer’s Jetfire is a repackaged Veritech fighter.
